Bizarro UConn roster this season?

[huskypantz]

If you look at our talent historically, we've had the most talent and depth at RB, LB, CB and OL. IMO our two weakest positions have been WR and S. Heading into this season, it looks like we have a solid 6-7 WR's even after losing Phillips and possibly the most talented we've ever had at the position in Davis. I think we're really solid at S - Melifonwu will be a serious playmaker on D, Adams will hold his own and there appears to be some depth. Our biggest question marks are the O-line and LB, with RB requiring that one of several unproven guys step up as freshman. Kind of ironic, but it makes me think that if Foley can work out the OL, we get one or two RB's to step up (yes I'm praying for a budding superstar) and the LB's at least tread water then we'll be more than okay.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Is it possible that we recruited well under Pasqualoni? We're gonna find out.

 

[huskypantz]

If the talent is shown to be in place and we win, that's just going to set posters off even more concerning PP and GDL - but at that point it will be all good.

 

[whaler11]

Is it possible that we recruited well under Pasqualoni? We're gonna find out.

If there is an upside in the record in the short term this will be the reason.

My gut tells me there are players here... just not sure I see the depth to get through the season unless they have a very favorable year injury wise.

 

[Stinger92860]

If the talent is shown to be in place and we win, that's just going to set posters off even more concerning PP and GDL - but at that point it will be all good.

I think they recruited well but really sucked in conditioning, preparation, game planning and in game adjustments.

 

[huskypantz]

I think they recruited well but really sucked in conditioning, preparation, game planning and in game adjustments.

LOL so every facet of coaching except for recruiting. Thank you CT HS football coaches.

 

[formerlurker]

If there is an upside in the record in the short term this will be the reason.

My gut tells me there are players here... just not sure I see the depth to get through the season unless they have a very favorable year injury wise.

Looks like quite a few of those players will be Diaco's boys....


NHRJimFuller 2:22pm via TweetDeck
9 or 10 true freshman could play for #UConn vs. BYU

 

[whaler11]

Looks like quite a few of those players will be Diaco's boys....


NHRJimFuller 2:22pm via TweetDeck
9 or 10 true freshman could play for #UConn vs. BYU

That would help close the depth gap. But that is a touch scary against a team of adults.

 

[Hoophound]

How many of the true freshman are Diaco recruits vs PP recruits?

 

[BNich]

Is it possible that we recruited well under Pasqualoni? We're gonna find out.

Maybe recruited well, but did not develop quickly enough. That is a big thing college football. Many other programs have impact freshmen, something Uconn has not seen in a while. The athletes may have been coming in, but they were not improving. Diaco referred to this quite a bit, not being able to distinguish between a true frosh and a senior. That's unacceptable as he has notably preached. Things are different now. People say Ollie won with Calhoun's players and not his own. STFU. He still coached them through adversity and to a championship. I view Diaco's job quite similar. He inherits a roster with players that he did not recruit, but young men he must transform. The process has begun, the impact has yet to be seen and felt, but August 29th I think we can expect to see a different Uconn football team than what we all have been accustomed to.

 

[UConnJim]

I still think we need to temper expectations for this year. Two true freshmen on the 2 deep at OL? Yikes! That is thin depth and it is highly unusual. Also, the OL and LBs don't look very big. And, where will the pass rush come from?

That said, I think we have more depth at QB and WR than we ever have and the RB depth seems promising.

Six wins will be a major victory and if we have some injuries in key areas, that may be a stretch.

 

[Stinger92860]

I think 6 wins will be our low call.

Winnable games are stony brook, temple, USF, Tulane, army, Memphis and smu. From the balance of games we may be able to 'steal' one.

My optimism is based on the following

Ppgdl. They killed us. The proof is in the last 3 games from last year.
The offense should score more points this year.
Balis. We appear to be bigger, stronger, faster and better conditioned.
Foley. How can the oline take a step back? They will be better.
The cupboard was never bare and it's not bare now.

When we punch BYU in 'n mouth at the start, they may not recover. If we can figure out a way to win this, at home, confidence will explode.

 

[rich1122]

We have some positive momentum this year. Even though we are still young, many of the young guys cut their teeth last year - especially QB's. Better conditioning. Coaching staff top notch. All in all we should see a much better, much more organized effort with some inspiration similar to that of the Michigan game.

I'll just mention one thing. I thought that the OL would be a disaster. Mataes as a captain, moving Knappe and the return of Cruz has given me some hope there. Hopefully the younger guys have come on. I think that having Cruz back is such a big deal. He was a starter last year and losing him hurt us immensely.

 

[SAMCRO]

How many of the true freshman are Diaco recruits vs PP recruits?

Given that P was canned 4 games into the season, IMO every one of them is a Diaco recruit. P and staff may have sourced many of them, but Diaco and staff re-recruited them (most likely an even bigger challenge as the vultures were swooping in) Every one of them signed a scholarship to to play for UConn w/ Diaco at the helm.

As mentioned above, P's problem was not recruiting, it was everything that happened after the kids arrived on campus. So, I believe Diaco has talent to work with, just as P had talent when he arrived (even though he tried to play it off thru his mouth piece Dez that there was no talent - regardless of the fact that many of the non-talented players are collecting a paycheck for playing on Sundays...I think Western Michigan just scored again).

 

[CTMike]

I think we've seen a lot of positive developments physically in a short amount of time. I see a core group of seniors to lead us this year, and 10 or so freshman who are going to see game action... I'm excited for this year, but I'm REALLY excited to see how the youngsters develop year over year.